The Institute: A darkly gripping high-concept thriller about the limits of connection and control, perfect for fans of Black Mirror
Katherine Bradley
Feb 2026 · Simon and Schuster
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About this audiobook
The Sanctuary meets Shutter Island in this high-concept psychological thriller from the critically acclaimed author of The Sisterhood.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER
BUT NEVER UNDERESTIMATE
THE INSTINCT TO SURVIVE
A group of students jump off a train platform into the path of an arriving train. The lone survivor, Billie, cannot recall the incident, but is adamant that she and her friends weren’t suicidal. Desperate for answers, Billie agrees to sign herself into the care of the Arbor Institute, a mysterious, corporate-backed research body investigating a disturbing rise in similar incidents around the globe.
At the Institute, Billie learns more about ‘flock phenomena’, where people band together to self-destruct. She is told that she’s at risk of ‘re-flocking’, and if she does, she will likely die.
But not everything is as it seems. When Billie discovers that she and her fellow survivors have been completely cut off from the outside world, she realizes they may not be safe.
And as she sets her sights on survival, the Institute may regret taking her under their wing. Because this wounded fledgling might turn out to be a bird of prey…
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER
BUT NEVER UNDERESTIMATE
THE INSTINCT TO SURVIVE
A group of students jump off a train platform into the path of an arriving train. The lone survivor, Billie, cannot recall the incident, but is adamant that she and her friends weren’t suicidal. Desperate for answers, Billie agrees to sign herself into the care of the Arbor Institute, a mysterious, corporate-backed research body investigating a disturbing rise in similar incidents around the globe.
At the Institute, Billie learns more about ‘flock phenomena’, where people band together to self-destruct. She is told that she’s at risk of ‘re-flocking’, and if she does, she will likely die.
But not everything is as it seems. When Billie discovers that she and her fellow survivors have been completely cut off from the outside world, she realizes they may not be safe.
And as she sets her sights on survival, the Institute may regret taking her under their wing. Because this wounded fledgling might turn out to be a bird of prey…
About the author
Katherine Bradley enjoyed a twenty-year career managing services for homeless people in Brighton, before retraining as a teacher. She now teaches English in a secondary school academy, finding time to also teach creative writing to adults. She holds a first-class degree in English Literature, in addition to qualifications in teaching, creative writing and coaching. As Kate Bradley, she has published two suspense thrillers – To Keep You Safe (2020) and What I Did (2021). Her work has been described as 'addictive, original and brilliantly twisty' by T. M. Logan and 'heart-stopping' by David Nicholls. Katherine lives near Brighton with her family. Follow her on Twitter @kate_bradley
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